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Conflict in Syria

Militants shell settlements in several Syrian provinces in past day

Militants opened fire at settlements in Syria's provinces of Latakia, Hama, Idlib, and Aleppo

© Marina Lystseva/TASS

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Russia, Syria urge world community to open its eyes to real situation at Rukban camp

MOSCOW, March 11. /TASS/. Militants have shelled settlements in several Syrian provinces over the last 24 hours, Major General Viktor Kupchishin, chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria, told reporters on Monday.

Kupchishin said that in the past day militants have opened fire at several settlements in the provinces of Latakia, Hama, Idlib, and Aleppo.

The general added that in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe at the Rukban camp in Syria, a humanitarian corridor and a mobile checkpoint in the Jleb area have been established.

"The Syrian government guarantees safety of temporarily displaced persons and a simplified document restoration process. Temporary accommodation centers have been established," he noted.

The Rukban camp

The Rukban refugee camp emerged on the Syrian-Jordanian border in 2014 after Amman closed its border due to security and economic concerns. The area, which is controlled by illegal armed groups, is facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

On March 5, the Russian Defense Ministry said that a cemetery with 300 fresh graves had been found near the camp. According to the ministry, the camp has lost its status to have been turned into a "reservation where hostages are held by force". The Russian Defense Ministry said most of the shelters in the camp were unlivable in wintertime, the sanitary conditions were appalling and food and other goods could be purchased only at improvised outdoor bazaars controlled by the militants.

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Syria Syrian conflict Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria

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